AK – Blessings In The Gray 2 [Mixtape]

AK, one half of the The Underachievers duo​, hits us with his new mixtape “Blessings In The Gray”. “Blessings In The Gray 2” is a twelve-track contribution that serves up production from Swadbeats, Taleil Brown, ScoopOne, Nujabes, Eff Dope, YL, Roper Williams, Kendrick and Cookin’ Soul. AK continues to share more about his life experiences, self-honesty and strong beliefs in his music while pushing his positive messages to motivate others in true “UA” form to his art of lyricism. Take a listen below and cop a copy on iTunes.

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Ran Reed feat. U.G. – The Crew [Audio]

With his much-anticipated compilation LP, ‘Still Commanding Respect,’ set to drop at the top of 2017, Ran Reed delivers another punishing single, “The Crew,” featuring a scorching guest verse from U.G., with head-nodding production supplied by Nick Wiz. As fans of Reed already know, he and Wiz go way back—peep their Respect The Architect collaboration—so it’s only fitting they’ve teamed up again here In addition to infusing elements of Das EFX’s classic cut, “Real Hip-Hop,” the true highpoint lies in the chemistry between Reed and his guest feature, U.G. of the Cella Dwellas (who recently dropped his own album, Portals). In addition to dropping their own verses, the two attack the third verse on some bad-guy, tag-team sh*t like a modern-day Harlem Heat (waddup, Booker T?). Once you’re done listening to “The Crew,” be sure to peep Ran’s previous drop, “Gun Boy Interlude” featuring M.O.P. Other features on the album include Bumpy Knuckles, Kool G Rap, Sadat X, D.V. Alias Khryst, Shabaam Sahdeeq, DJ Modesty, LoVel, and more. “The Crew” can now be streamed, and is available as the first instant grat track off the iTunes pre-order for ‘Still Commanding Respect.’ The 20 tack LP is due out January 13th through Reed’s RRM Consulting imprint.

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Koache feat. Xzibit, Demrick & Quan – Turn Me Back (Nottz Remix) [Audio]

Inglewood native Koache returns to one of his hottest tracks of the year, “Turn Me Back,” on this super-smooth, Nottz-produced remix featuring guest vocals from Xzibit, Demrick, and Quan. The original track appeared on Koache’s ‘Game Point’ album, which dropped this past March on LOTZAH. And it, too, featured a head nodding instrumental from Nottz, along with a strong guest verse from X-to-the-Z. But on the remix, the Virginia producer flipped his approach entirely by ditching the grit of the original track, for a jazzier, more laid-back sound. As a result, there’s a slightly somber edge to “Turn Me Back.” It’s a fitting vibe, however, because the track deals with the knowledge that no matter how much you try to change your ways, trouble will always find you. That message is driven home on the hook, where Quan croons, “I’m just tryna chill and leave the trouble behind me…” Be sure to catch Koache performing live this Saturday (Nov. 19) as part of the Hip-Hop Weekly Soundstage & Interview Suite. It goes down at 6356 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles if you’re in the area, but you can also catch it live-streaming on on HipHopWeekly’s Facebook page. Stream the remix for “Turn Me Back” and then head over to iTunes or the digital retailer of your choice to go and support Koache’s ‘Game Point’ LP, which includes features from WC, BJ the Chicago Kid, Cory Gunz and more.

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